The EU Club at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry gathered for their traditional meeting on the occasion of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU on January 15, 2015. More than 95 participants, among them ambassadors and commercial counselors of the Member States, representatives of the government and the business circles as well as NGOs participated in the event.
Mr. Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the BCCI opened the meeting with wishes for a successful 2015, which will be crucial for the BCCI due to its 120 anniversary.
After the welcome speech given by the Chairwoman of the EU Club, Prof. Ingrid Shikova, H.E. Mr. Marco Conticelli presented the results achieved during the Italian presidency of the Council of the EU whereas he stressed on the progress achieved with regard to positioning Europe’s economic growth and investments at the forefront of EU priorities.
Prof. Alexander Popov, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia, highlighted the priorities of the Latvian presidency of the Council of the EU during the first half of 2015. The priority axes are: competitive Europe, digital Europe and engaged Europe. Prof. Popov also states that with regard to the turbulent global scene, among the main priorities will be the fight against terrorism and finding solution for the Ukrainian crisis.
Mr. Andrea Casini, COO and Vice Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank presented a forecast for the development of the Bulgarian economy in 2015 and noted the main points of improvement in 2014. The main economic drivers in 2015 will be the EU funds absorption and the stimulation of the household consumption through lower prices of energy used.
In the end of the meeting Mr. Plamen Stoyanov, National Executive Director of SOS Children’s villages Bulgaria appealed to the participants to express their solidarity with the children in the villages in the frames of the European social priorities.
Presentation of Mr. Andrea Casini: COO and Vice Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank: click here